Influence of surface processes on tectono-thermal evolution of rifted margins

Tectono-thermal modelling is one of the key means in exploring the continental rifted margins. During rifting, erosion and sedimentation will modulate the distribution of loading and deformation of the crust, and thus influence the tectono-thermal evolution of passive continental margins. Surface processes are important controlling factors of rifting process and the evolution of hydrocarbon source rocks in oil and gas basins. We summarized the tectono-thermal evolution of passive continental margins, and showed two mechanism of the impact of surface processes: flexural isostatic balance of the lithosphere and thermal blanketing effect of sediments. Multiple-sourced geological evidence suggests that the surface process has a significant impact on the development of rift faults, the morphology and symmetry of continental margins, post-rift anomalous tectonic subsidence, and magmatism, by adjusting the load distribution and subsequent crustal deformation in the rift system. However, current numerical modeling studies on the formation of passive continental margins still rarely consider 2D or 3D surface processes, which limits their ability to accurately reconstruct the thermal history and hydrocarbon generation history of sedimentary basins. By coupling the lithospheric tectonic evolution model with 2D or 3D surface processes, a new and comprehensive understanding of the tectono-thermal evolution of passive continental margins can be brought.